Agenda and minutes

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) by members as required under Section 31 of the Localism Act and of other interests as required by the Code of Conduct (please see note at end of agenda).

No declarations were made. 

It was proposed by Councillor Swansborough and seconded by Councillor Tutt:

“That Patricia Mary Charlotte Hearn, a Councillor of this Borough be elected Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year and until the election of Mayor at the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

It was accordingly:-

Resolved: That Patricia Mary Charlotte Hearn, a Councillor of this Borough be elected Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year and until the election of Mayor at the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

Councillor Hearn then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office as Mayor.

In her speech of acceptance, the Mayor reported that her nominated charities for the 2017/18 year would be Embrace East Sussex and Rebourne Corner (Salvation Army, Eastbourne).

Previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2017 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were reported from Councillors Robinson and Shuttleworth.

It was proposed by Councillor Tester and seconded by Councillor Murray:

“That Harun Miah, a Councillor of this Borough be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year and until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

It was accordingly:-

Resolved: That Harun Miah, a Councillor of this Borough be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year and until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

Councillor Miah then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office as Deputy Mayor and announced that his Deputy Mayoress and Deputy Mayor’s Consort for the year would be Mrs Razia Begum and Mr Rajoo Harun respectively.

The Mayor reported that Mr Philip Hearn would undertake the duty of Mayor’s Consort for the 2017/18 municipal year.

Notification of appointment.

The Mayor reported that the Reverend Mike Blanch would be serving as the Mayor’s Chaplain for the 2017/18 municipal year.

(Note: The election of Leader of the Council took place at the Annual Meeting on 27 May 2015. The Leader was appointed to a 4-year term of office in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.)

Leader of the Council to report:

(a) Any changes in respect to the names of those Councillors serving on the Cabinet and the Councillor appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council (and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet) and the respective areas of responsibility for each member of the Cabinet.

(b) That the terms of reference and constitution of the Cabinet be as set out in the Council’s Constitution. 

(c) That delegations to individual Cabinet members in respect of executive functions have not been made at this time.

Councillor Tutt reported the following:

(1) That the names of those councillors to serve on the Cabinet and the Councillor appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council (and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet) be as shown on the schedule attached to these minutes for the 2017/18 municipal year and that the respective areas of responsibility for each member of the Cabinet be noted.

(2) That a vote of thanks be recorded for the significant contribution to the work of the Cabinet by Councillors Tester and Wallis during their tenure.

(3) To welcome the new appointments of Councillor Ungar (Community Safety), Councillor Dow (Place Services) and Councillor Sabri (Core Support and Strategic Services).

(4) That the terms of reference and constitution of the Cabinet be as set out in the Council’s Constitution. 

(5) That delegations to individual Cabinet members in respect of executive functions have not been made at this time.

(1) To agree the proposed number and allocation of seats, receive nominations and vote thereon.  Please see reports 8(a) and 8(b) referred to below.

(2) To confirm the continuation of the following bodies with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution that have a fixed membership or to which members are appointed by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or relevant Director as the need arises:

Equality Steering Group

Council Panels

Recruitment Panels

Task Groups

Project Boards

(3) That the existing independent persons (Mr Allen Gales and Mr Neal Robinson) be re-appointed under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and continue to hold office for the period up to the annual meeting in May 2018.

The Council noted the report of the Senior Local Democracy Officer on the allocation of seats on Council bodies for 2017/18 and a proposed schedule of nominations.

Following a proposal from Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, it was:

Resolved: (1) That the proposed number and allocation of seats and nominations as set out on the submitted schedules as attached to these minutes be approved.

(2) That the continuation of the following bodies be confirmed with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution, and that they have a fixed membership to which members are appointed by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or relevant Director as the need arises:

Equality Steering Group, Council Panels, Recruitment Panels, Task Groups and Project Boards

(3) That the existing independent persons (Mr Allen Gales and Mr Neal Robinson) be re-appointed under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 for the municipal year 2017/18.

The calendar was last approved by Council on 16 November 2016. 

Following a proposal from Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, it was:

Resolved: That the programme of meetings for all bodies in the Council structure in the municipal year 2017/18 be confirmed in accordance with the schedule circulated with the agenda.

Council to approve the delegation of non-executive functions, including terms of reference, to Committees, Sub-Committees, other Council bodies as set out in the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution.

Following a proposal from Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, it was:

Resolved: That the delegation of non-executive functions, including terms of reference, to Committees, Sub-Committees and other Council bodies as set out in the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution be approved.

The Council is required each year to approve the scheme of delegations to officers and proper officer functions as set out in the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution.

Following a proposal from Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, it was:

Resolved: That the scheme of delegations to officers and proper officer functions as set out in the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution be approved.

To receive nominations from Group Leaders and vote thereon.

Following a proposal from Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Mattock, it was:

Resolved: That the appointment of Members to serve on outside and other bodies be approved in accordance with the names listed on the schedule attached to these minutes.